Holiday Special…

First of all: Merry Christmas ( too late) and Happy New year to my dear readers!

No news whatsoever on my case. The school has been summoned (meaning the owners of the school aka die fuehrerin and her Somali husband who proves the Somali reputation right!) which probably won’t help me very much. They were supposed to be at the Human rights office last Thursday so on the 17^th. Mrs Mahlet awaited them only to find they didn’t show up. When she checked the summon it seemed this hadn’t been received ( they have to sign upon delivery) due to the fact that it hadn’t been taken there. Grrrr

The Belgian embassy has in the mean time taken more interest in my case and want to help me get correct information. It’s for them I went to the Human Rights Commision ( HRC) where I was told the previous and assured a new summon was written and this time also sent – at least I hope- telling GYA to come on the 24^th. Mrs Mahlet was embarrassed and told me to contact my embassy, which I had already done, to help me along. Though when I tried to call Mahlet’s office at 15:00 on Christmas she wasn’t there. I left a message but wasn’t really into pursuing it seeing as it was our Christmas and I had made a deal with myself not to worry about it and focus on my house.

Yes, I left Holger’s at last. I was welcomed really well there and am extremely grateful but feel one shouldn’t impose on friends, especially new friends, too long and 1 and ½ months is pushing it. ( It’s actually exactly half the time I know Holger).

So even if I don’t know about a job yet ( still can’t officially work and am helping Aaron) I started looking for a place to live. I was thrilled to find one near the central square called Mexico but when I took people there to advice me they told me the neighborhood was too bad and I shouldn’t go there. Especially Aaron’s father insisted I’d find another place. So through a broker he knew I found a place within walking distance to the school I am now in with Aaron but not really well communicated. He haggled a lot with the landlady and I got the brand new “studio” for a very reasonable price plus only had to pay for 3 months in advance.( =their way of a deposit). There’s a small living room and even smaller bedroom. A bathroom that defines as tiny and a kitchen separated by the common yard. The kitchen is actually more an empty room: there is no sink or cabinets or anything! Luckily I inherited an electric small fire from the de Lomba family ( my ex colleagues at Gibson who took off shortly after I was fired seeing as they still were able to because their residence permit hadn’t been processed yet and thus their visa unlike mine hadn’t been cancelled). To my the emptiness bearable I also lend some furniture of Mika ( the couchsurfer guy) which he had in storage. I moved in on the 23^rd. I’d post the pictures but don’t have a camera anymore after it was stolen from me. As if my bad luck wasn’t enough a mere 2 days later my extremely old but functioning mobile was lifted out of my zip locked pockets when I was drumming to get on a small bus called Kendo to get to Holger’s. I cried my eyes out. So This year my Santa wish list is quite elaborate: Phone (check), 2 mattresses which should serve as sofa ( ½ check), bamboo shelves for the kitchen on which I can place the electric fires ( ordered), all kitchen materials: pots, pans, cutlery, can openers,…( check and a whole lot poorer after), bathroom shelves ( check), and a fridge ( aouwch!). As indicated by all the checks I spent the 24^th and Christmas day in the biggest market of Africa. Mercato, indeed the place where David was robbed. This time applying a new technique: tell Mika what you want; go for tea somewhere; let him go, inform and haggle; then go with him and approve of what he shows you and pay =)

Worked out pretty well. When they see me, the Faranji, they just go prize crazy. I tried to buy some spices by myself, Mika stopped me on time, and was charged double of what they charged Mika in the other shop without him bargaining. Not really my idea of fun shopping but the result is a blossoming cosy home. X-mas eve was spent with some of the people I went to Debrelibanos with and ex colleagues from GYA. We went out for dinner and then saw a really nice jazz concert with an extraordinary choice of instruments. Really nice even if I was a tad exhausted. On Christmas I was pleasantly surprised by several phone calls ( Thanks you guys, it was fantastic hearing you!) and had a quiet evening in with homemade stew. My latest addition to my culinary spectrum. It’s been grey and rainy here so perfect Irish conditions=)

You see I did pretty well with keeping the spirits high the last couple of days. Also I have another job interview Monday in a fantastic school -so cross your fingers and on Tuesday I hope to take off to the North, Couch surfing in Bahir Dar or so, with Mika.